Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Year:2012 | Volume:19 | Issue:77|Papers Count:17

Background and Objective: Linear growth is one of the most important criteria of general public health. As a micronutrient, zinc is known to affect linear growth. Considering the low prevalence of zinc deficiency in Zanjan, analysis of the impact of zinc deficiency in children with short stature in this province could provide valuable information. The aim of this study was to compare the serum concentration of Zinc in children with short stature and those with normal growth in Zanjan.Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted on two groups of school children under the age of 15, including 50 subjects with short stature, who were randomly selected from the patients of endocrine clinic of Vali-e-asr general hospital, and 50 normal-growth children. Normal subjects were selected from the cases classmates with the same socioeconomic situation. After collection of general health data and anthropometric measurements, blood samples were taken to detect serum concentrations of zinc in all of the participants.Results: One hundred children, including 50 males and 50 females, with a mean age of 10.2±3 years were investigated. Serum concentrations of zinc were significantly lower in the subjects with short stature (94±23.1 mg/dl vs. 110.9±12.4 mg/dl in normal subjects; p:0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between serum concentrations of zinc and the height of the subjects in both groups (r:0.2, p:0.02).Conclusion: There is a positive correlation between serum zinc concentration and the height of the children even in the zinc sufficient areas like Zanjan. Future studies for analysis of the impact of zinc supplementation on the growth velocity of subjects with zinc deficiency are recommended.

Background and Objective: Ischemia reperfusion plays a major role in the development of pathological alterations in many different neuropathies. In this study, we evaluated the role of aminoguanidine (AG) in the functional recovery of the rat re-perfused sciatic nerve based on the behavioral scores.Materials and Methods: Seventy two rats were divided into 12 groups (n=6). We used ischemic model by occluding the right common iliac and femoral arteries for 3 h with a silk suture 6-0 using the slipknot technique. Treatment groups (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12) received 150 mg/kg of AG intraperitoneally 24 hrs. after the induction of ischemia. After certain time intervals of reperfusion (48 hr., and 4, 7, 14, and 28 days), the function of the hind limb was assessed using behavioral scores based on gait, racing reflex, toe spread, pinch sensitivity, paw position ,and grasp.Results: Hind limb functional deficits developed in all re-perfused groups, and maximal behavioral deficit occurred on day 7 of reperfusion. The comparison of the control and AG groups revealed a better time course in recovery and improvement of the behavioral score.Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings suggest that post-ischemic administration of AG exhibits a neuroprotective effect against ischemia reperfusion injury of sciatic nerve. However, further investigations are required to delineate the detailed mechanisms underlying the protective effect of AG in sciatic nerve injury.

Background and Objective: Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases with an increasing prevalence. The cough variant of asthma (CVA) is a latent form of the disease. The aim of this study is to compare the decreasing rates of FEV1 and PEF during the methacholine challenge test.Materials and Methods: In this study, we tested a total of 120 patients (14-65 years old), who were referred to the respiratory clinic with complaints of chronic cough, using normal chest and sinus x-ray and spirometry. Also other causes of chronic cough were rulled out. Spirometry and Peak Flowmetry were done during the methacholine challenge test, and then FEV1 and PEF were recorded.Results: From 120 patients, 47 patients (39.2%) were male and 73 (60.8%) were female. Thirty three (27.5%) patients showed a³20% decrease in FEV1, while 35 patients (29.2%) had a³20% decrease in PEFp. Decreasing values of FEV1 and PEFp with r=0.49 and P-value<0.0001 were significant. Normalization for age, sex, and occupation shows that these factors have no effects on the decrease observed for FEV1 and PEFp.Conclusion: Based on the correlation ratio for PEFp in comparison with spirometry s FEV1, we suggest using peak flowmetry instead of spirometry for diagnosing CVA. According on the ROC-curve, we recommend a³15.5% decrease in the level of PEFp with 79% sensitivity and 69% specificity.

Background and Objective: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is the most common cause of nosocomial infection, has been a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. This study was carried out to find out the resistance pattern and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing among MRSA.Materials and Methods: This descriptive work was done on 87 Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates which were collected from the patients with infections in a teaching hospital in Kashan, Iran, during the period of 2009. The isolates were tested for antibiotic resistance by the disc-diffusion method, covering 10 antimicrobials. The genotypes of SCCmec subtypes were determined by multiplex PCR.Results: Amomg 87 MRSA isolated tested; the highest resistance was shown against erythromycin, clindamycin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and tetracycline respectively. By contrast, the highest sensitivity was shown to amikacin. All of the isolates were resistant to Beta-lactams. All of the isolates were resistant to at least three classes of antibiotics, and all of the isolates were sensitive to vancomycin. Three (3.4%) MRSA strains were SCCmec type I, 12 (13.8%) were type II, 8 (9.2%) were type IV-b, 4 (4.6%) were type IV-d, and 3 (3.4%) were type V. Overall, 57 (65.5%) MRSA strains could not be typed.Conclusion: The rising trend of multi-resistance to antibiotics poses an alarming threat to treatment of MRSA infections. Our findings show that clinical isolates of MRSA in our hospital carrying various kinds of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types. SCCmec typse II and IV were the predominant strain of MRSA identified.

Background and Objective: Utilization of plants as antioxidants in food processing has a potential for substitution of synthetic antioxidants. In the present work, some unexplored biological activities of Thymus daenensis, commercial thyme essential oils and thymol were comparatively studied.Materials and Methods: Ferrous ion chelating was assessed by spectrophotometry by mixing the essential oils with diluted FeSO4 followed by addition of ferrozine. Antioxidative properties were assessed by beta carotene bleaching and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging tests. Gallic acid equivalent of ferric reduction was carried out using FeCl3. Super oxide anion radical scavenging was determined using xanthine oxidase and anti tyrosinase inhibitory activity was determined by a spectrophotometry method using a modified dopachrome method with L-DOPA as the substrate.Results: Chelating reaction of T. daenensis oil was dose dependent, and its super oxide anion radical scavenging property was higher than the commercial oil. Lipid peroxidation inhibition by T. daenensis oil was stronger and those of the commercial oil and thymol were approximately equal. DPPH free radical scavenging property of T. daenensis oil was higher than trolox, butylated hydroxytoluene and anisol (BHT and BHA). Ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of T. daenensis oil was greater. The total phenolics anti tyrosinase IC50 were also determined.Conclusion: The results point to the nutritional value of these plants in preventing formation of toxic reactive oxygen species, and show that Thymus daenensis, as a good antioxidant, can directly scavenge free radicals. The results from biological properties of Thymus daenensis are indicative of its potentials for use in food and drug industries.

Background and Objective: The production of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamases (ESBLs) by Escherichia coli is the main cause of resistance to Cephalosporins. In the past decade, CTX-M enzymes have become the most prevalent ESBLs in Europe, Canada, and Asia. In this study, the frequency of ESBLproducing E.coli and molecular detection of the CTX-M-I group was investigated.Materials and Methods: A total of 400 urine samples were collected from both hospitalized and out-patients in Khoy’s hospitals between November 2009 and April 2010. Out of these samples, 188 were identified as E.coli by standard biochemical tests. The antibiotic Susceptibility tests to 10 antibiotics were performed by the-disk-agar diffusion (DAD) method. ESBL production was screened by phenotypic test that including disk diffusion agar and combined disk as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Screened isolates were investigated by PCR assay for detection of CTX-M-I group genes.Results: The results show that out of 188 E.coli isolates identified, 56 (29.8%) was producing ESBls by phenotypic test. All isolates were sensitive to imipenem. Overall, 49 (87.5%) isolates were confirmed as CTX-M-I producer by PCR.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that about 30% of the identified E.coli was producing ESBl. Therefore, we recommend using molecular methods in such researches.

Background and Objective: Nowadays, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered as a promising tool for treatment of different diseases. Due to the low frequency of MSCs, however, it seems inevitable to expand them in vitro prior to use, which could affect the quality of the cells. In all isolation procedures, the density gradient separation of Ficoll is used for volume reduction and RBC exclusion. In this study, the efficiency of Ficoll density gradient was evaluated.Materials and Methods: Human bone marrow samples were laid over Ficoll. Following centrifugation, the upper fraction containing the mononuclear cell layer and the lower fraction (RBC layer) were used for in vitro culture. The number and characteristics of MSCs in both layers were then compared with each other.Results: Inspection of the cultured cells showed that the lower fraction contained MSC-like cells. These cells had spindle like appearances and exhibited a high capacity for expansion. Furthermore, they showed a potential for differentiating into adipocyte and osteocyte differentiation. Cytofluorometric analysis showed that these cells were positive for CD73, CD90, and CD105, and negative for CD45, CD34, and CD31. It was also found that this fraction contained 58±22% of the total isolated MSCs.Conclusion: Density gradient is not a very efficient method for separation of MSCs because it leads to sedimentation of most of the cells to the lower compartment during centrifugation, which results in their exclusion. Therefore, there is a need for developing new methods to obtain larger amounts of MSCs from bone marrow.

Background and Objective: Despite many of research, the cause of hypertension during pregnancy period has not been revealed. Disorders related to hypertension still remain among the most important unresolved maternity problems. The main goal of this work was to study the relationship between serum leptin levels and preeclampsia in Vali-e-asr Hospital of Zanjan from March 2005 till March 2006.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was comprised of 2 groups of pregnant women in their last trimester. Each group consisted of 30 cases. The case group had blood pressure (BP) >140.90, and either proteinuria>300 mg/24h or +1 and more with dipstick. The control group had normal BP. The samples were analyzed with leptin kit using ELISA technique. Independent t-test was used to analyze the results.Results: Despite the slightly higher serum leptin levels in the control group, the difference was not significant (57.92±33.6 ng/dl vs. 45.8±34.6 ng/dl, respectively; p=0.18). Based on BMI>29, there was no significant differences in the serum leptin levels between the case and control groups (51.12±39.72 ng/dl and 56.75±34.84 ng/dl, respectively; p=0.64). However, based on BMI£29, the serum leptin levels were significantly higher in the control group (36.75±22.1 ng/dl vs. 60.26±32.51 ng/dl, respectively, p=0.07).Conclusion: The results of this study show that there is no significant relationship between preeclampsia and increased serum leptin levels. Further studies with prospective designs and a larger sample size are required to clarify any potential association between the serum leptin level and preeclampsia.

Background and Objective: The prevalence of AIDS/HIV is dramatically increasing worldwide. Iran and other Middle East countries are no exception in this regard. The main aim of this study was to assess the effects of communication skills program and AIDS education on Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs among the health volunteers in Zanjan.Materials and Methods: The study was conducted as a quasi-experimental trial. Eighty health volunteers were divided into two equal groups. The interventional group participated in two educational programs on communication skills and AIDS, compared to the control group that participated in AIDS education program only. Data collection was done both prior to and 20 weeks after the intervention using a self-report type questionnaire.Results: The results of this study show that combining AIDS education program and communication skills training had a significant effect on susceptibility, (P<0.01) severity (P<0.003) and perceived barrier (P<0.0001) constructs of AIDS in the test group. By contrast, only the perceived barrier construct (P<0.0001) showed a significant change in the control group. Self-efficacy was the strongest predictor within the HBM.Conclusion: Findings of this study indicate that a combination of communication skills training and AIDS education program could have a better effect on Health Belief Model constructs on AIDS in health volunteers than the AIDS education program by itself.

Background and Objective: In recent years, most developed countries have aimed at reducing the cesarean rate through education and other interventions. In our country, however, despite all efforts, the cesarean rate remains very high. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of educational intervention based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) on choosing delivery mode in pregnant women, who were referred to the Rasht Health Centers.Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study included 72 pregnant women referred to various Health Centers in Rasht in the spring and summer of 2010. After a pre-test by using a valid and reliable questionnaire for both groups, specific training was provided for the intervention group based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. At the end of the pregnancies, post-test were performed in both groups and the results were analyzed by SPSS-13 software.Results: The results indicate that there were significant differences in the mean knowledge, evaluations of behavioral outcome, attitude (P=0.000), perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and behavioral intention (P<0.05) among pregnant women in the test group compared with the control. There was a significant difference in behavior between the two groups (P<0.05).Conclusion: The results show that maternal educations in the field for persuasion of normal delivery had been effective. Therefore, we recommend implementing training programs based on Theory of Planned Behavior, in order to persuade pregnant women for normal delivery and decreasing the rate of the cesarean section.

Background and Objective: Transvaginal ultrasonography is a non invasive procedure for endometrial thickness evaluation in abnormal uterine bleeding. This technique is helpful for selecting patients for diagnostic tests. This study was designed to determine the validity of transvaginal sonography in the measurement of endometrial thickness.Materials and Methods: A total of 71 women who were admitted for abdominal hysterectomy due to different causes in Kosar Hospital (2008-2009) were enrolled in the study. The main exclusion criteria were inability to measure endometrial thickness via transvaginal sonography. Endometrial thickness measurements were done prior to surgery. Histopathologic measurement of the fresh specimen was carried out immediately after surgery. Data were analyzed using T-test and kappa index.Results: No ultrasound measurement was possible in 15% (11) of the patients. No statistically significant difference was observed in endometrial thickness between the two procedures. Taking into account 5 mm as a cut-off point, in 70% (42) of the patients, endometrial thickness was 5 mm in both procedures. In 30% (18) of the patients, endometrial thickness in sonography was>5 mm, 11 cases of which were confirmed by histopathologic measurement. The remaining 7 cases were falsely reported as thick endometrium by sonography. The overall accuracy of sonography was about 83.3%, which was more efficient for samples with thin endometrium (89.8% vs. 72.8%).Conclusion: Despite a concordance between transvaginal sonography and histopathology results for endometrial thickness evaluation, the former is faced with limitation as a single diagnostic test.

Sheehan’s syndrome has a broad spectrum of clinical and laboratory signs that range from nonspecific symptoms such as malaise, fatigue and anemia to severe hypophyseal insufficiency, which results in coma and death. We collected data from 18 patients diagnosed with Sheehan’s syndrome during the past 10 years. Patients profiles, including history, physical examination, clinical presentation that lead to diagnosis, routine biochemical tests, lipid profiles, thyroid function tests, and basal hypophyseal hormone levels were reviewed. The time spent for making a definitive diagnosis of the disease ranged between 10 to 30 years with a mean of 15.55±5.04 years. Five patients (22%) had disturbances in their levels of consciousness at the time of presentation (four with hypoglycemia, one with severe hypothyroidism). Seven patients (39%) were evaluated for central hypothyroidism in outpatient service before definite diagnosis. All of the patients had a history of massive hemorrhage at delivery and lack of postpartum milk production. All of the patients have received replacement doses of Levothyroxine and Prednisolone. Considering the duration of disease, significant delays appear to occur in its diagnosis and treatment.